Evers orders flags to half-staff in honor of former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl

Metro Wire Staff

Gov. Tony Evers today ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff beginning Thurs., Dec. 28, 2023, until the date of interment for former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl.

Kohl died on Dec. 27. He served Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate from 2007-2013. Alongside his brother and father, he was a founder of the Kohl’s department stores chain, of which he went on to become president and chief executive officer. He purchased the Milwaukee Bucks professional basketball team in 1985, to prevent the team from relocating out of Milwaukee. He is also the namesake of the Kohl Center arena on the UW–Madison campus.

Evers released the following statement regarding U.S. Sen. Kohl’s passing:

“A Milwaukeean and Wisconsinite through and through, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl dedicated his life to serving our kids, our communities, our state, and our country. Sen. Kohl was, without a doubt, nobody’s senator but ours. Kathy and I are devastated by the news of his passing. Sen. Kohl was deeply committed to community, kindness, and service to others. Wisconsin’s seniors, students, teachers, and schools, and farmers and rural areas, among so many others, are better off because of his life and legacy, the impacts of which will last for generations. Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin, friends and colleagues of Sen. Kohl, and the many people whose lives he impacted — both near and far — in offering our sincerest condolences to the Kohl family and the Herb Kohl Foundation in mourning the loss of this Wisconsin giant.”

Services for Kohl are set to occur sometime in January.